As a working man and property owner in Auburn whose monthly outlay is quickly gaining on monthly income, I am getting concerned.

After 38 years at a physically and mentally demanding job, I figured that, at this point in life, I could start to wind down.

Unfortunately, with the high cost of living in Maine, with the tax-and-spend attitude running rampant at the state level, the county level and the municipal level, winding down is out of the question.

Maine needs to get spending under control so that property taxes can be stabilized and then progress made to lower property taxes. Every dollar that people are taxed is one less dollar that can be spent supporting a local business.

In Auburn, foreclosures are up, vacant properties are up, tax liens are up, taxes are up, and property values are down and the spending continues unfettered. I cannot speak for others, but I cannot afford status quo. It is time for a clean sweep in the Auburn City Council chambers.

A new chapter begins Nov. 3. I encourage people to please vote, and vote wisely.

Robert Sevigny, Auburn